Second Extra Care housing complex to be built in Birmingham

Birmingham City Council and Housing 21 continue to buck the economic trend by working in partnership to construct a new multi-million pound extra care housing development at The Meadway, Yardley – the second one in Birmingham in a month.

Last month construction began on a similar scheme in Turves Green. The two extra care developments will take on up to 6 apprentices, across Turves Green and The Meadway. Both sites will support and safeguard over 150 jobs in the hard hit construction industry. Inspace Partnerships, the construction partner are committed to employing local labour.

To mark the start of construction, Councillor John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing laid a brick in the first wall being built on the new development to celebrate forging ahead with the promise to provide real housing choice for older people in Birmingham.

Councillor John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing was joined by representatives from development partners Housing 21, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) contractors Inspace Partnerships and local resident representatives.

The scheme at The Meadway will provide 87 apartments for city residents who are aged 55 and over. Each will have their own home in a communal scheme with 24 hour care and support services should they need them. The total scheme will bring £10 million of investment to this area of the city.

Councillor John Lines said: “It gives me great pleasure to mark this special event by building a small piece of the wall today. It marks the beginning of this development but also the continuation of my commitment to improve accommodation and services for our older citizens of Birmingham.

“Schemes like this not only improve the quality of life for those people who live here but will also provide a resource for local people who can come in and take advantage of the great facilities and positive atmosphere generated – these bricks and mortar represent the start of how the local community will benefit in the years to come. I’m delighted to be working with our partners on this.”

Les Clarke, Director of Older People’s Services for Housing 21, said: “Meadway is the second of two new extra care schemes that we are providing in partnership with Birmingham City Council. As with the other project at Turves Green, this exciting facility for people aged 55 and over will give residents independence and control of their lives so that they may enjoy a range of on-site services as well as a flexible care and support package.”

Each two-bedroom home is designed for wheelchair access and will have its own sitting room, fully fitted kitchen and walk-in shower. Communal facilities will include residents’ lounge, restaurant, hairdressing salon and landscaped gardens.

Inspace Partnerships will build the apartments to the high specification required to meet the needs of elderly residents and use the latest building technology, which has delivered major efficiency gains on previous projects.

The project, which will have options for rent, shared ownership and outright sale, has received funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Christine Seaton, investment manager at the Homes and Communities Agency in the West Midlands, said: “The delivery of extra care housing in Birmingham demonstrates our partnership approach, by working with Birmingham City Council to commission and select Housing 21 to develop these high quality affordable homes. The timing of this is crucial to maintaining confidence in the Construction sector so we are delighted the scheme is now on site.”

Interested applicants for the new accommodation, which is due for completion in Autumn 2010, must have a health and social care need.